342 AMERICAN FISHES. 
stomachs filled to the greatest possible extent, and capelin in their mouths 
which they were unable to swallow for want of room, and in this condition 
they were still biting at the hook. They even feed upon the young of 
their own kind. They are said to feed largely upon herring® spawn, 
though they are notseen in great numbers, about the spawning grounds 
until the schools of parent fish have departed. The herring, also, is a 
favorite article of food, and when these fish approach the shores or are 
seen on the banks, it is a very good sign that Cod will soon be abundant. 
Mr. Earll remarks : . 
‘¢T am told that in the spring of 1879 an immense school of herring 
moved closely across George’s Bank, and that with them came the largest 
school of Cod that has been seen in that locality for a long time. The 
Cod remained constantly among the herring, so that when the lattter bad 
passed the fishing fleet, the vessels were obliged to weigh anchor and fol- 
low them in order to secure the Cod. 
«¢ About Provincetown the common squid sometimes appear in great 
numbers, and they are most vigorously preyed upon by the Cod.”’ 
The same accurate observer gives the following notes concerning their 
food while breeding : 
‘¢ During the spawning season the Codfish cease to search for food, and 
give less attention to feeding than at other times, though they will 
usually take the bait when placed before them. That they do not search 
for food is shown by the fact that the pasture school remained within a 
few miles of a large school of sperling without being drawn after them ; 
and that the Ipswich Bay school was largest after the sperling had left the 
coast, and remained for a number of months on sandy wastes which sup- 
ported only three species of invertebrates, Buccinum undatum, Fusus 
species, and Asterias vulgaris, in any considerable abundance. The 
examination of the stomachs of several hundred individuals showed four- 
fifths of all to be entirely empty, while a greater part of the remainder 
contained only bait picked from the trawls of the fishermen. A small 
number contained fish of one or more species that had probably been 
captured in the locality, while a few scattering invertebrates were found. 
Of the species mentioned as abundant on the grounds, not a star-fish and 
but two shells of one species and one of the other are found. But it was 
clearly shown that the fish would not refuse food, for often the stomachs 
were well filled with bait picked from the trawl before the fish were hooked. 
From ten to fifteen pieces were frequently found, and in one case eigh- 
teen were counted. 
«¢ The females when fully ripe seemed less willing to feed than at other 
times, and few were caught with the moving hand-lines; but when the 
